4 ms·

For reference, Annapurna Interactive are not a mainstream publisher churning out franchise type games, but tend to publish unique games, some of them considered

For reference, Annapurna Interactive are not a mainstream publisher churning out franchise type games, but tend to publish unique games, some of them considered classics: - Outer Wilds - Stray - Lorelei and the laser eyes - Cocoon - Neon White ...and others. https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/annapurnainteractive https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/annapurnainteractiv... This is a real shame for anyone who cares about really distinctive, original games.

johnnyanmac 2y ago
Depending on the team that walked, this may be a new opportunity. Sounds like this all happened because they worked pretty well without Ellis, but Ellis would come in every now and then and cause a tornado of everything when she did. There's a name for this kind of manager, but it eludes me. Shame they lose the name, but the talent is what makes the company. And I'm sure any small dev will be following them closely on their next venture.
- UberFly 2y ago
  As if the "team" will exit together and re-establish as one unit on the other side for the greater good.
  - johnnyanmac 2y ago
    How would you define "the greater good" for a publisher of small-medium scaled games?
- Sakos 2y ago
  The benefit was the funding that could be provided by Ellis, no? How are they going to make up for that if they make a new company?
  - johnnyanmac 2y ago
    That's definitely the million dollar question (literally). I don't imagine they got all 25 or so staff to resign at once if they didn't have a plan for funding. But there weren't any details about that aspect from what I read (could have missed it). I imagine well get more developments over the coming weeks on that.
- Veserv 2y ago
  Ah yes, the Elon Musk special. The term you are looking for is “pigeon CEO”[1]: “he comes, shits all over us, and goes”. [1] https://electrek.co/2024/04/22/elon-musk-pigeon-ceo-former-tesla-manager/ https://electrek.co/2024/04/22/elon-musk-pigeon-ceo-former-t...
- rwmj 2y ago
  Joel Spolsky called it "hit and run management": https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/03/23/command-and-conquer-and-the-herd-of-coconuts/ https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/03/23/command-and-conque...
- sitharus 2y ago
  You’re thinking of seagull management, managers who “flew in, made a lot of noise, dumped on everyone from a great height, then flew out again, leaving others to deal with the consequences”. That’s the polite version anyway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
- plg94 2y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management : come in, make a lot of noise, shit everywhere, leave
orlp 2y ago
> This is a real shame for anyone who cares about really distinctive, original games. Is it though? Annapurna is a publisher, they didn't make those games. The games you listed were made by: - Outer Wilds: Mobius Digital - Stray: BlueTwelve Studio - Lorelei and the laser eyes: Simogo - Cocoon: Geometric Interactive - Neon White: Angel Matrix I'm confident that creators of distinctive, original games will be able to find other publishers.
- karlgkk 2y ago
  > I'm confident that creators of distinctive, original games will be able to find other publishers. That confidence is (partially) misplaced. It's a really rough world out there for indie devs, and if you do find a publisher, many times they are not interested in paying as much attention to your title as you are.
  - ekianjo 2y ago
    they can self publish then. thats always an option.
    - october8140 2y ago
      They can’t self fund.
      - ekianjo 2y ago
        most publishers dont give money without seeing a fairly elaborate demo. And making games is something that can be done with zero budget unlike endeavors in many other industries.
        delusional 2y ago
        Outer Wilds was in production for 7 years. Practically nobody can fund years of full time work without some external funding. I don't have any proof, but I am confident that Annapurna poured some amount of money into that venture during those 7 years.
ekianjo 2y ago
Stray is not made by Annapurna. Its just published by them. Devs can easily find other alternatives. Publishers are everywhere.
plg94 2y ago
> considered classics Great games, but all you listed are barely 3 years old – can something that young already be considered a "classic"?
- me_me_me 2y ago
  Outer Wilds is an unforgettable game, I have no problem calling it a classic. It already has a community developed to the point that it has a modus opperandi - never spoil anything for anyone. Its a magical game and the community protects the experience for future players, as its impossible to 'rediscover it' again.

johnnyanmac 2y ago

Depending on the team that walked, this may be a new opportunity. Sounds like this all happened because they worked pretty well without Ellis, but Ellis would come in every now and then and cause a tornado of everything when she did. There's a name for this kind of manager, but it eludes me. Shame they lose the name, but the talent is what makes the company. And I'm sure any small dev will be following them closely on their next venture.

UberFly 2y ago
As if the "team" will exit together and re-establish as one unit on the other side for the greater good.
- johnnyanmac 2y ago
  How would you define "the greater good" for a publisher of small-medium scaled games?
Sakos 2y ago
The benefit was the funding that could be provided by Ellis, no? How are they going to make up for that if they make a new company?
- johnnyanmac 2y ago
  That's definitely the million dollar question (literally). I don't imagine they got all 25 or so staff to resign at once if they didn't have a plan for funding. But there weren't any details about that aspect from what I read (could have missed it). I imagine well get more developments over the coming weeks on that.
Veserv 2y ago
Ah yes, the Elon Musk special. The term you are looking for is “pigeon CEO”[1]: “he comes, shits all over us, and goes”. [1] https://electrek.co/2024/04/22/elon-musk-pigeon-ceo-former-tesla-manager/ https://electrek.co/2024/04/22/elon-musk-pigeon-ceo-former-t...
rwmj 2y ago
Joel Spolsky called it "hit and run management": https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/03/23/command-and-conquer-and-the-herd-of-coconuts/ https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/03/23/command-and-conque...
sitharus 2y ago
You’re thinking of seagull management, managers who “flew in, made a lot of noise, dumped on everyone from a great height, then flew out again, leaving others to deal with the consequences”. That’s the polite version anyway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
plg94 2y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagull_management : come in, make a lot of noise, shit everywhere, leave

orlp 2y ago

> This is a real shame for anyone who cares about really distinctive, original games. Is it though? Annapurna is a publisher, they didn't make those games. The games you listed were made by: - Outer Wilds: Mobius Digital - Stray: BlueTwelve Studio - Lorelei and the laser eyes: Simogo - Cocoon: Geometric Interactive - Neon White: Angel Matrix I'm confident that creators of distinctive, original games will be able to find other publishers.

karlgkk 2y ago
> I'm confident that creators of distinctive, original games will be able to find other publishers. That confidence is (partially) misplaced. It's a really rough world out there for indie devs, and if you do find a publisher, many times they are not interested in paying as much attention to your title as you are.
- ekianjo 2y ago
  they can self publish then. thats always an option.
  - october8140 2y ago
    They can’t self fund.
    - ekianjo 2y ago
      most publishers dont give money without seeing a fairly elaborate demo. And making games is something that can be done with zero budget unlike endeavors in many other industries.
      - delusional 2y ago
        Outer Wilds was in production for 7 years. Practically nobody can fund years of full time work without some external funding. I don't have any proof, but I am confident that Annapurna poured some amount of money into that venture during those 7 years.

ekianjo 2y ago

Stray is not made by Annapurna. Its just published by them. Devs can easily find other alternatives. Publishers are everywhere.

plg94 2y ago

> considered classics Great games, but all you listed are barely 3 years old – can something that young already be considered a "classic"?

me_me_me 2y ago
Outer Wilds is an unforgettable game, I have no problem calling it a classic. It already has a community developed to the point that it has a modus opperandi - never spoil anything for anyone. Its a magical game and the community protects the experience for future players, as its impossible to 'rediscover it' again.